Introduction

-HRT is in option for women who no longer have estrogen from menopause or surgery.

-Combined HRT has both risks and benefit in terms of future illness.

-It is not recommended that a woman take HRT for the purpose of preventing heart disease.

-A woman can choose to use HRT to treat the symptoms of estrogen deficiency.

(If it doesn't significantly improve the quality of your life you shouldn't use it).

-If you choose to use it you should be fully informed as to the current best assessment of risk.

-Other sources of hormones to treat menopausal symptoms have not been evaluated for safety or benefit.

-There may be benefits beside colon cancer, osteoporosis, and improvement of vasomotor symptoms, e.g., Alzheimer's cognition, or other findings that emerge.

Patient informed of risks/benefits of the drug Prempro or similar generic combination

(Combination of conjugated estrogens 0.625 mg and medroxyprogesterone 2.5 mg)

Decreased risk of hip fracture (5 less /10,000) per year
Decreased risk of colon cancer (6 less /10,000) per year
Increased risk of breast cancer (8 more /10,000) per year
Increased risk of heart attack, or other coronary event (7 more /10,000) per year
Increased risk of stroke (8 more /10,000) per year
Increased risk of blood clots in the lungs (8 more /10,000) per year
Overall increased risk of above events combined (20 more /10,000) per year,

or 1/100 over 5 years

Baseline risks or hormone replacement also discussed include:

Increased risk of cancer of the uterus

May worsen diabetes

Not to be taken in pregnancy, liver disease, stroke, breast cancer, uterine cancer, abnormal

vaginal bleeding, or blood clotting

Possible side effects include:

blood clots, nausea, abdominal. pain, breast tenderness, irregular bleeding,

headache, and hair loss among others